FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Apr

16

2024

Mallorca investigating alleged racist gesture towards Real’s Tchouameni

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MALLORCA are working with the police to investigate an alleged racist gesture made during a 1-0 home defeat by Real Madrid, the LaLiga club said. Videos on social media appeared to show a fan at the Son Moix Stadium making a racist gesture towards Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who scored the only goal of the match. In the same fixture last year, Mallorca fans were filmed racially abusing Real's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr., with Mallorca revoking a fan's membership card for three years. "In yesterday's match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid, images have been identified in which a person made racist gestures," Mallorca said in…

Apr

15

2024

By The African Mirror

Eze and Palace deal Liverpool big blow to title chances with 1-0 victory

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LIVERPOOL'S bid to win the Premier League title in manager Juergen Klopp's final season with the club suffered a huge blow as they were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield leaving them third in the table. Eberechi Eze scored in the 14th minute to stun the Anfield faithful in the third consecutive disappointing result for Liverpool. Klopp's men are level on 71 points with second-placed Arsenal, who suffered a 2-0 shock loss to Aston Villa later on Sunday but lead Liverpool on goal difference. Liverpool trail leaders Manchester City by two points. "I would say with the chances we…

Apr

15

2024

By The African Mirror

Leverkusen secure maiden Bundesliga title with 5-0 win over Bremen

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Undefeated Bayer Leverkusen secured their first Bundesliga title on Sunday with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen, breaking an 11-year stranglehold on the league by Bayern Munich. Xabi Alonso's team, who have now gone a league-record 29 matches without defeat this season to secure their first trophy since 1993, have a 16-point lead over Bayern with five matches remaining. Leverkusen left nothing to chance and sealed their title win at the first opportunity with Florian Wirtz bagging a hat-trick in a win that stretched their unbeaten run across all competitions to a remarkable 43 games this season. They earned a…

Apr

15

2024

By The African Mirror

Late Okafor goal earns Milan draw in six-goal thriller with Sassuolo

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SECOND-PLACED AC Milan twice fought back from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw at relegation-threatened Sassuolo with a late equaliser by substitute Noah Okafor in Serie A. Milan have 69 points, six ahead of Juventus with six matches left. Sassuolo are second-bottom with 26 points. Inter Milan, who host Cagliari later on Sunday, are runaway leaders on 82. It was a frustrating match for Milan, who dominated possession and chances, particularly for Samuel Chukwueze who had two goals disallowed for offside by a hair's breadth. Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli also made several fine saves, notably a sensational early…

Apr

14

2024

By The African Mirror

Isak brace leads Newcastle to crucial 4-0 win over Spurs

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A dominant Newcastle United struck twice within 95 seconds as Alexander Isak's brace helped them secure a 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, a vital result in their bid to qualify for European competition. Newcastle, unbeaten at home since January, moved up to sixth place in the standings with 50 points from 32 matches, one ahead of Manchester United who have played a game less and visit Bournemouth later in the day. Spurs are fifth with 60 points. Isak scored at the half-hour mark when Anthony Gordon got hold of a long ball, shook off Destiny Udogie…

Apr

14

2024

By The African Mirror

Bayern battle past Cologne to end losing run, Coman out for weeks

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BAYERN Munich struck twice in the second half to earn a 2-0 win over Cologne and bounce back from two straight league losses ahead of their Champions League return leg against Arsenal next week. With Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen 13 points ahead and poised to wrap up their first league title with a win over Werder Bremen on Sunday, Bayern's only hope of silverware this season rests with the Champions League following their 2-2 draw in the first leg in London. They suffered a serious injury blow, however, with winger Kingsley Coman taken off in the 50th minute and ruled…

Apr

11

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria, Zambia women win playoffs to take last two Olympic spots

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ZAMBIA and Nigeria locked up the last two spots in the women's soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics after winning two-legged playoffs in the fourth round of African qualifying. Zambia needed extra time to get past Morocco in Rabat as the Copper Queens turned a 2-1 first-leg deficit into a 3-2 aggregate triumph with a 2-0 win at Moulay Hassan Stadium. Captain and Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda opened the scoring for Zambia in the 38th minute and secured the ticket to the Olympics when she converted a penalty in the 105th minute. The Zambians will be in a tough…

Apr

11

2024

By The African Mirror

Champions League host nations tighten security after Islamic State threats

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FRANCE and Spain will step up security ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals in Madrid and Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, top officials said, as Islamic State threatened drone attacks on Europe's top club soccer tournament. British police said they were aware of reports of threats and had a robust policing plan in place ahead of Arsenal's match against Bayern Munich in London on Tuesday night. The threats against some of the world's most-watched soccer matches underline the resurgence of Islamic State after several deadly attacks this year, including in Iran and Moscow. They also point to the complex geopolitical backdrop to…

Apr

08

2024

By LORI EWING

Liverpool need late goal from Salah to draw 2-2 with Manchester United

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MOHAMED Salah scored a late equaliser from a penalty kick as Liverpool escaped Old Trafford with a single point in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United to climb to even on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal. Salah stroked home in the 84th minute for his sixth league goal at Old Trafford, the most of any visiting player in the league's history, overtaking Steven Gerrard's five. With seven games remaining in the neck-and-neck title race, Liverpool and Arsenal have 71 points with the Gunners leading on goal difference. Holders Manchester City are third with 70 points, while United are sixth…

Apr

08

2024

By The African Mirror

Napoli’s rapid goal blitz gives them a 4-2 win at Monza

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NAPOLI scored three goals within six second-half minutes as they clinched a 4-2 victory at Monza to keep alive their slim hopes of a top-four finish in Serie A. The defending champions are seventh in the table with 48 points, 10 points behind fourth-placed Bologna, who played out a goalless draw at Frosinone earlier on Sunday. Monza is 11th with 42 points. Napoli still finds themselves in a challenging position in the table, trailing both AS Roma and Atalanta who sit in fifth and sixth place with 55 and 50 points respectively. Atalanta have two matches in hand before their…